Chapter 03
Lian’s strikingly handsome face and outstanding physique.
And the black hair and red eyes.
Just from his appearance alone, he absolutely could not be an NPC in the game.
Even if you looked at him from 500 meters away while doing a handstand, he’d still clearly be one of the male leads.
But the strange thing was that neither Lian’s appearance nor his name…
felt familiar at all.
I know practically every male lead from million-seller romance fantasy novels, but I’ve never heard of a male lead named Lian de Vichel.
It wasn’t even the kind of common name that one could easily forget.
Or maybe I’ve just read so many novels that I forgot?
That could be possible.
Lian isn’t my type at all, anyway.
My tastes were very clear.
Only sweet, gentle male leads!
That was why I had chosen Yohan, who was kind, considerate, and handsome, as my absolute favorite.
Because of that, there were also male lead types I clearly disliked.
#SlyMen, #DirtyTalk, #BadBoy, #RegretfulMan…
Any story tagged with those keywords was something I skipped without hesitation.
Still, if he were the male lead of a million-seller romance fantasy, I should at least recognize him.
I glanced up at Lian.
No matter how much I stared at that butter-smooth face of his, the mystery showed no sign of unraveling.
After wrestling with the thought for quite a while, I eventually gave up.
Wow… how can a person be as stubborn and immovable as a stone statue?
If I kept this battle of wills going, I felt like I’d drain all my stamina.
“Ha…”
In the end, I gave up and started walking again.
Lian trailed behind me like a puppy.
“So, Director, you decided to take on two jobs after all? As expected—so diligent and hardworking.”
Let me emphasize this once more.
I dislike people like Chase Oppa.
*
The current time was 1 p.m.
Lian and I were seated at an outdoor table of a tea salon.
Even though it was early summer, I had a scarf wrapped tightly around my head.
It was a kind of disguise.
It would be troublesome if someone recognized me.
I wasn’t personally acquainted with Violet, but she might know my face, so it was better to be cautious.
Right now, Violet was inside the salon having tea with her friends.
“…And then that happened!”
“Oh my…”
Perhaps the window glass was too thin, because their laughter occasionally drifted outside.
I glanced toward Violet while scribbling down information.
[Notes]
Violet is a regular customer at <Aisa Salon>. According to the salon owner, she visits every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Her favorite tea is Darjeeling.
→ Should I set this place as the first meeting location…? No. She comes here with friends, so it doesn’t seem appropriate.Violet’s friends: Dahlia Jerhenstone, Flora Maien
While I was diligently writing things down, I felt an uncomfortably direct gaze.
Hm…?
I turned my head slightly—and right in front of my eyes was the sharp bridge of Lian’s nose.
I quickly pulled my face back.
“W-What are you doing?”
When did he get so close?
He was definitely sitting across from me just a moment ago.
Lian rested his chin on his hand, casually swinging his foot beneath the table.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen you wearing glasses, Director, so I came over for a closer look.”
Just as he said, I was wearing thick-rimmed glasses along with the scarf.
I replied flatly.
“You could see well enough from where you were sitting.”
“My eyesight isn’t very good, you know. I like looking at things up close.”
“….”
“Good things should be seen big and close, right?”
Bad eyesight? What nonsense.
Just three days ago, I saw you reading the address on a parcel stacked by the entrance while you were sitting on the sofa.
With eyesight like that, he might as well have Mongolian eagle vision.
Meanwhile, Lian’s gaze was fixed on my notes.
After looking over what I had written, he spoke.
“Say, Director. Do you dislike Lady Violet?”
My eyes widened instantly.
He had suddenly hit the bull’s-eye.
Do I dislike Violet?
Of course I do.
She’s the woman who stole the heart of my favorite male lead. Why would I like her?
And on top of that, she’s unbelievably beautiful…
The real problem wasn’t my feelings, though.
It was how Lian had noticed.
All I’ve done since coming here is observe Violet with a blank expression.
Pretending to remain calm, I answered,
“No? Not at all. Why do you ask?”
“The Director I know has neat, straight handwriting. But today your letters look crumpled, like you’re forcing yourself to write something you don’t want to.”
“….”
“Especially the V and the I. See how they bend slightly to the left instead of standing straight? That’s proof you were emotionally biased while writing.”
“….”
“In other words, you’re forcing yourself to do something you don’t want to do.”
Lian fired off his analysis as if he had been waiting to say it.
No, seriously… how do you know my handwriting that well?
For the past month, all you’ve done is show up to work and sit there.
Still… to be honest, Lian wasn’t wrong.
I don’t like Violet.
And the fact that I had to follow her around and investigate her like this was unpleasant.
But it was a favor from Yohan, and there was money involved—so I was forcing myself to do it.
Still, there’s no way I’m going to admit that to him.
I pretended to stay composed and changed the subject.
“Stop talking nonsense and be quiet. You’re not even helping with the work, yet you talk so much.”
“What do you mean, Director? I’m helping plenty.”
“What exactly have you helped with? The only thing you’ve done here is sip tea.”
When I snapped at him, Lian blinked twice.
Then he gave a languid smile and rested his cheek on the back of his hand.
“Of course I’ve done more.”
“What?”
“I’m patiently waiting, even though I’d rather be fooling around with you in this nice weather, Director.”
“…?”
“Isn’t that impressive? You should praise me.”
His black head leaned closer toward me.
“Seriously…”
And he had an absurd amount of hair, too.
At least he won’t have to worry about going bald later.
I pushed his head away with a tap.
“Move.”
“You won’t praise me?”
“What exactly am I supposed to praise? There has to be something praiseworthy first.”
“I’m terrible at waiting. But I’m doing it for you, Director.”
“What kind of—”
Ding.
Just then, a bell rang at the salon door.
Both Lian and I turned our gaze toward the same place.
…It’s Violet.
I grabbed the back of Lian’s head and shoved it down onto the table.
“That’s enough talking.”
“Yes, yes.”
Lian grinned while lying face-down on the table.
The voices of Violet and her friends drifted faintly toward us.
“…By the way, Violet, you decided on the dress you’ll wear to the ball, right?”
“Yeah, I’m going to try it on today.”
At Violet’s answer, Flora and Dahlia bounced their shoulders excitedly.
“Oh my goodness, a dress from Valenri Dress Shop! I’m so excited!”
“His Highness will definitely fall for you. I guarantee it.”
“At this ball, Violet, you’re absolutely going to steal His Highness’s heart!”
“Oh, you two…”
While eavesdropping, I suddenly froze.
…Hm?
What did I just hear?
Just then, Lian started muttering beside me.
“Director, is your dream to become a giraffe in the future? I mean, I get being curious about Lady Violet, but at this rate your neck’s going to stretch all the way over there.”
Suddenly, he wrapped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me toward him.
The chair rattled, and the weight that had been leaning dangerously to the right shifted back.
Ah… I almost fell over.
I had been so focused on Violet that I didn’t even realize the chair was tipping.
I almost ended up doing slapstick comedy and getting caught by Violet.
I was about to thank Lian when something flashed through my mind.
“His Highness will definitely fall for you. I guarantee it.”
“At this ball, Violet, you’re absolutely going to steal His Highness’s heart!”
Come to think of it, now wasn’t the time for thanks.
Did I really hear that correctly just now?
I hurriedly asked Lian.
“Maknae, did you hear what the ladies were just saying?”
“Yeah.”
“Tell me. What did they say?”
But Lian didn’t answer immediately.
He stared at me for a moment before slowly opening his mouth.
“I heard it… but I’m not going to tell you.”
“What? Why?”
As I frowned, the corner of Lian’s mouth curled upward.
Leaning closer, he whispered,
“You told me to stop talking, Director.”
